An estimated 80% of Americans who attempt to join the military are rejected each year. The military turns people away for various reasons, but the “most common barriers” include:
“failure to graduate high school, a criminal record, and physical fitness issues, including obesity.”
So, some may understand how Anthony Bauswell, an 18-year-old from Greenbriar, Arkansas, was surprised that he was rejected over a tattoo.
On Monday, January 18, Bauswell went to Conway Marine recruitment office, ready to enlist for service. Apart of the enlistment procedure includes requiring potential Marines to show any existing tattoos. Bauswell reports that he first uneventfully showed his tattoo of a “browning buck.” His shock came when he showed this tattoo of the Confederate flag:
Upon seeing the tattoo, Bauswell alleges that the recruiter immediately stated:
“DQ; just automatically DQ.“
Abhorred at the experience, Bauswell explained:
“I felt pretty low. My own government wasn’t going to let me serve my country because of the ink on my skin.”
If Bauswell is otherwise qualified and willing to volunteer for service, why would the recruiter reject him over a tattoo?
The Marine Corps, and some other military branches, have very strict tattoo policies because they have an image to maintain. The Marines will soon be relaxing these rules in order to allow soldiers to honor their fallen brethren, but until then, they currently will not allow any of the following tattoos:
Bauswell’s tattoo clearly falls under both sections 31 and 32. Not only is his tattoo racist and offensive in nature, but it is one that could possibly discredit the Marine Corps brand.
It is racist and offensive in nature because although 57% of Americans believe that “the Confederate flag is a symbol of Southern pride“, 75% of Blacks believe that this is a symbol of racism.
Bauswell protests that his tattoo does not represent his racism, instead he alleges that the reason he has “Southern Pride” written over the Confederate flag is to reflect his belief that the flag is a symbol of his American pride.
Regardless of what Bauswell’s intentions were, the Marines likely find this symbol as one that may discredit the Marine Corp. After all, the Marines have their own heritage to protect — Semper Fidelis:
“to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.“
When it comes generally to tattoos, Marines Commandant Gen. Robert Neller stated:
“We’re Marines…We have a brand. People expect a certain thing from us.“
Even those currently serving have a difficult time climbing the ranks if their tattoos are considered inappropriate.
Instead of focusing on tattoos, including those that are racist or offensive, Neller wants soldiers:
“focused on what’s important, which is getting ready to be trained and ready to go fight if we have to go fight.”
Having a soldier donning a tattoo that a fellow soldier finds offensive and/or racist is enough to take the focus off of what’s important.
For those with dreams to join the Marines like Bauswell, I strongly recommend to read the enlistment procedures. If Bauswell only read the fine print, maybe he would have thought twice before he permanently marked himself with this offensive symbol. But there lies the problem; like so many, he sadly doesn’t believe this symbol is offensive.
h/t DeadState.org
Featured image is a screenshot from NY Daily News.
